MONASH UNIVERSITY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Mapping the physics of planet formation. The 2019 Nobel prize in Physics was awarded for the discovery of the first extra-solar planet around a Sun-like star. But we do not know how these planets, or those in our solar system, formed. In the last two years our group at Monash pioneered a new technique for detecting `baby' planets --- observed still embedded in the disc of gas and dust from which they are born. The aim is to grow this new field of protoplanet detection and characterisation. The project aims to capture images of these planets, and to provide 3D modelling of the environment in which they form. The project will develop state of the art computer algorithms for simulating fluid flow that can be applied to problems here on Earth. Field of research: 0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences The project will bring: a) new knowledge - about how the planets in our solar system, and other solar systems, were formed b) new partnerships - bringing together both young and experienced researchers from the US, Europe and Australia; c) new research directions - detecting baby planets from the gas flow around stars is a new field we started just 2 years ago, combining innovative modelling with observations on the world biggest telescopes to answer "How do stars and planets form?" - one of the 10 `big questions' in the Decadal Plan for Australian Astronomy (2016-2025); d) research training of 2 PhD students and 4 honours students in advanced scientific computing techniques - skills readily transferable to the business world of `big data' e) social benefits in the form of an enhanced skill base in computing, visualisation and data analysis including public availability of all of our simulation codes and data f) economic benefits from the build-up of human capital, such as the recent graduates from our group now working in the Bureau of Meteorology and the Astronomy Data and Computing Service.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Change agents and sustainability transformations in the water sector. The pursuit of sustainable development is a major challenge for Australian communities. System transformations are urgently needed, not just incremental change. While we know much about how to incubate local innovation, how innovation can be scaled to transform systems is not well understood. This project aims to understand how change agents can influence system transformations and how their actions can be enabled and constrained by local conditions and governance arrangements. Its focus is on change agents working to promote urban water innovations and system change. We hope to develop new knowledge on the capabilities and resources that local governments and other actors must deploy to achieve sustainability transformations in Australia. Field of research: 1605 - Policy and Administration Sustainable development is an urgent challenge for Australian communities due to climate change, resource depletion and population growth. System transformations are needed, not incremental change. But even where support for change is strong, knowledge is often lacking about how to achieve system transformations. Focused on innovations in the urban water sector, this project will explain how change agents can be most effective as they work to promote sustainability. The project will advance Australia’s national interests in three ways. First, it will systematically identify and learn from success cases of local sustainability transformation in the water sector. Second, it will reveal the factors that serve to enable or impede change agents as they drive those transformations. Third, it will generate knowledge for change agents and communities about the capabilities and resources they need to drive broader transformations in policy and practice.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Functional Materials to Hijack on Lipid Transport Pathways. This Project aims to provide new design rules for novel polymers with lipid elements that would allow them to interact with natural lipid trafficking pathways in precise ways. The anticipated goal is to generate a greater understanding on how these materials co-opt lipid transport pathways, serum albumins and lipoprotein nanoparticle assemblies, as a function of lipid component, molecular weight and macromolecular structure. Expected outcomes of this project may be novel lipid functional materials with tuneable pharmokinetics, plasma exposure, lymph exposure and biodistribution. These materials would have wide application in the pharmaceutical and veterinary industries. Field of research: 1115 - Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences The development of new functional materials that give greater control of the delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents is of considerable importance to the advanced manufacturing sector, where new products with a high added value are constantly sought. Of particular benefit in the current proposal is the first-in-world investigation of lipid functional polymers designed to access natural lipid trafficking pathways in predicable ways. We can align the pharmacokinetic properties of the delivery system specifically with the delivery needs of a therapeutic or imaging agent. The project will provide a new platform technology for potential end use in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. These materials will also find application in flotation technology, personal care and the food industries, as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants. This trans-disciplinary project will see Australian-trained researchers equipped with cross-disciplinary skills that are truly unique and enhance Australia's reputation as a leading country for polymer materials research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Systems-level characterization of scaffold protein signalling networks. The PEAK family of cell signalling scaffolds regulate cellular responses critical for normal development and physiology. This project will adopt a ‘holistic’ approach to characterizing their mechanism and function, integrating experimental and mathematical approaches and developing predictive computational models. It aims to generate fundamental new knowledge in cell, computational and synthetic biology with broad relevance that will foster establishment of new international linkages. This research will also identify strategies for engineering novel scaffolds that re-program cellular behaviour towards specific, applied outcomes, with potential benefit for the fields of synthetic biology, bioengineering and biotechnology. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology The Project aims to generate fundamental new knowledge in cell, computational and synthetic biology, leading to major international recognition for Australian science. Its impact on areas as diverse as cell biology, mathematical modelling and regenerative medicine will foster establishment of major international linkages. The Project will also provide interdisciplinary training at the interface of cell and computational modelling, an emerging frontier. This will help develop a cutting-edge workforce and maintain Australia’s international competitiveness. The work may ultimately benefit the biotechnology sector by identifying strategies for programming of cells so that they exhibit specific biological characteristics, such as increased proliferation, which could be exploited for large-scale cell production, or migration, with applications in immunotherapy, regenerative medicine or wound healing. Given the potential significance of the research findings in terms of fundamental knowledge, multidisciplinary training and applied synthetic biology, the project represents outstanding value for money.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Combating Antimicrobial Resistance with Bismuth, Gallium and Indium. This research project focuses on the design, development, and application of new bismuth, gallium and indium compounds as antimicrobial agents. These metals act as iron mimics in vivo and can exert antimicrobial activity while displaying low systemic toxicity in humans. The project aims to exploit this, and the inability of microbes to easily develop resistance towards metals, to combat bacteria for which modern drugs are rapidly becoming ineffective, as highlighted in the WHO and US Centre for Disease Control list of critical and priority pathogens. The intended outcome is that efficacy will be driven through advances in synthetic and structural chemistry, discovering the mode of action, and creating anti-infective coatings and hydrogels. Field of research: 0302 - Inorganic Chemistry The World Health Organisation, the United Nations, and the US Centre for Disease Control have warned us of the dangers humanity faces as the 'antibiotic-era' draws to an end. Without the development of new antimicrobials and the ability to fight infection, humans across the globe face dramatic reductions in effective medical treatment and increasing mortality rates. There will be negative economic growth rates as GDP falls as a result of burgeoning costs associated with managing drug resistant microbes and their effect on health, food, and agriculture. Australia will be heavily impacted due to a economic reliance on agriculture, escalating healthcare costs, and the cost burden of implementing anti-infective strategies across both rural and more densely populated areas.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Dynamics of mitochondrial cristae in life and death . This application seeks to use innovative approaches to address how massive structural arrangements in mitochondria are dealt with during normal cell function, and modulated during cell death. The study builds on discoveries made by a team with world-leading expertise in mitochondrial biology and cell death – and brings innovative, cutting-edge techniques in cell biology, proteomics and imaging. The findings will provide new fundamental insights into cellular organisation and uncover new principles of communication. Trainees will gain skills in technologies that are highly translatable and in demand in other areas of scientific endeavours. As such the expertise obtained will expand Australian research capabilities. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Mitochondria are found in almost all animal cells. This project aims to develop new insights into the organisation and regulation of the structural components in mitochondria. This fundamental knowledge is important for understanding, controlling and impacting cellular metabolism, mitochondrial disease, and programmed cell death in a host of species. New understanding in these areas, particularly the proteins and mechanisms involved, may underpin new technologies in agriculture (biogenesis and metabolism) or may open up new avenues for biological control and targeted drug design. One key outcome will be exploration of a recently discovered step in programmed cell death (called mitochondrial herniation), and unravelling the immune signalling here may have potential for future therapeutic application for a variety of autoimmune disorders.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Regulatory roles of the RNA helicase DDX5 in male germline stem cells. This project aims to investigate the role of the RNA helicase DDX5 in regulating gene expression programs of male germline stem cells by utilising novel mouse models, stem cell culture and genome-wide analysis approaches. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of germline maintenance and adult stem cells using innovative in vivo and in vitro experimental systems. Expected outcomes of this project will include gain of substantial insight into molecular mechanisms underlying germline stem cell function and gene regulation within the male germline. This should provide significant benefits, including advancement of reproductive science and development of systems applicable for animal germline preservation and manipulation. Field of research: 0604 - Genetics Germline stem cells in the testis are essential for continuous sperm generation but mechanisms regulating activity of these cells are poorly understood. We aim to characterise the role of DDX5, an RNA helicase capable of controlling gene expression and cell function at multiple levels, in germline stem cells. This study promises insight into gene regulation in the male germline and can provide important advances in reproductive biology plus facilitate agricultural applications including assisted reproduction. Increasing our understanding of how germline stem cells are regulated can indicate approaches for conservation of species and aid in design of drugs that can modulate male fertility. As increased activity of DDX5 is associated with cancer, our studies on DDX5 in germline cells can have broad future health implications. This project brings together internationally-recognised experts in germline stem cell plus RNA biology fields and will provide training to junior researchers in these areas. Importantly, this project will help to maintain Australia’s position at the forefront of male fertility research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

A new model for animal growth. This project aims to test and further develop a new theory for how animals grow. The new growth theory brings together the fields of physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, generating research publications, and training students. The proposed research is anticipated to provide a fundamentally new means for understanding how animals divide energy among growth and reproduction, paving the way for organismal allocation to these processes to be optimised by selective breeding or genetic manipulation, yielding potential benefits for aquaculture (enhanced growth) or re-introduction (enhanced reproduction). Field of research: 0606 - Physiology The proposed project aims to develop a new understanding of how animals grow. The project will achieve this by bringing together approaches from the fields of physiology, evolutionary biology, and ecology, and will involve the training of a postdoctoral researcher as well as PhD students and honours students. The project has the potential to contribute to Australia’s national interest through the development and validation of a novel framework to describe and predict how animals allocate energy to growth and reproduction. This framework could then contribute to the development of new strategies to maximise animal production in agriculture and aquaculture, and to maximise animal reproduction for stock replenishment, conservation, or re-introduction.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Adaptation by DNA download: Experimental evolution of a pangenome. This project aims to understand how microbes adapt when they can directly “download" new genes from their surrounding environment, or from other types of bacteria. Specifically, the proposed research will carry out the largest-scale measurements of the fitness effects of horizontally transferred genetic variation, to discover how each of these genes interacts with the environment, and with other genes. This project is expected to generate new knowledge in the fields of microbial evolution and microbiome science. The benefits of this cutting-edge research will be to strengthen Australia’s research capacity in these rapidly developing fields and to train a new generation of interdisciplinary scientists. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology This research proposal is in the national interest because it will increase our understanding of how microbes adapt in natural and clinical environments. Microbes impact our lives through health (infectious disease), agriculture (the nitrogen cycle), industry (fermented products), and the processes that support the global ecosystem. A fundamental goal of the scientific enterprise to mitigate and harness the potential of microbes. This project will advance this goal by combining powerful approaches – laboratory evolution, genome sequencing and bioinformatics - to study populations evolving with "horizontal gene transfer". Horizontal gene transfer is very common in pathogenic bacteria that have evolved antibiotic resistance and understanding this process could ultimately provide insights of medical significance. The results are highly likely to have a large scientific impact, given their scale and novelty. Importantly, this project will provide a launching pad for training interdisciplinary scientists.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Tackling the computational bottleneck in precision particle physics. This project aims to deliver a breakthrough technique in theoretical-computational particle physics, with significant potential for high-precision applications. The project targets some of the most advanced and resource-intensive calculations in particle physics, which are widely used but currently limited by extremely high computational resource requirements. This project expects to develop a novel approach that will vastly reduce the computational complexity while at the same time improving their accuracy relative to the current global state of the art. Expected outcomes include the new methodology itself as well as a full-fledged and open-access simulation code based on it, which should be highly efficient. Field of research: 0202 - Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics This fundamental project aims to achieve major breakthroughs that will be of profound importance to the field of high-energy physics, in partnership with major international efforts in this field. The project leverages Australian leadership of (among others) the Pythia project which is among the most widely used and highly cited theory efforts worldwide to probe new questions in particle physics. The project will develop advanced and widely applicable algorithms designed for high precision with a conscious effort to minimise computational resource usage. The outcomes will advance national benefit through downstream applications in computer programming and software development, including in large-scale data analysis and visualisation which are skills and tools needed in an advanced economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

A Novel Approach To Flow Control By Topography. The project will resolve important questions concerning the influence of boundary topography on transition to turbulence and on the exact coherent structures forming the backbone of turbulence. The canonical topography known from previous work by one of the investigators is a wavy wall and, as well as resolving important issues in flow physics, the research is relevant to many flows of importance such roughness induced transition on aircraft wings, flows in heat transfer/mixing devices, blood flow and the influence of topography on the atmospheric boundary layer. Expected outcomes are an understanding of the interplay between transitional and turbulent flows with wall topography together with strategies to enhance mixing and drag reduction. Field of research: 0915 - Interdisciplinary Engineering This project fills a crucial gap in our understanding of how fluid flows interact with topography. This is a topic of worldwide interest and its resolution has diverse application in aerospace, transport, atmospheric forecasting, water, energy and medical device industries. For example, one-half or more of the energy consumed in long-distance transport of people, freight, and fluids typically results from wall drag which is a central focus of this work. The research is fundamental in nature, dealing with cutting edge analytical and computational techniques which are broadly applicable. The specific topic to be investigated is expected to impact aircraft design and the team is associated with major international efforts in this regard, including with global companies which rely on Australian expertise. Additional national benefit will accrue through the production of knowledge to underpin advances in the design of mixing devices in engineering, more energy-efficient pipelines, and new techniques to improve weather and climate forecasting.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Manipulative tests of metabolic theory. This project aims to take a new interdisciplinary approach to understanding how energy flows through individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. The project expects to develop a new framework for understanding the function of biological systems, bringing together the fields of physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology, generating research publications, and training students in interdisciplinary research. The proposed research is anticipated to provide a means for understanding how management interventions can alter energy flows in biological systems, bringing benefits across the areas of climate change adaptation, conservation science, agriculture and aquaculture, and fisheries management. Field of research: 0608 - Zoology This project aims to develop a new understanding of how energy flows from individuals to ecosystems. The project will achieve this by bringing together approaches from the fields of physiology, evolutionary biology, and ecology to test how the metabolic rate of animals affects the function and persistence of populations and communities. The research will help us understand how energy flows through agricultural and aquaculture systems and natural environments. Each of these systems face challenges related to energy flow, which can be addressed by understanding the way animals use energy to grow, reproduce, and stay alive – e.g. the conversion of energy from feed to market size in aquaculture, and the impact of harvesting practices on fishery yield. The project will offer an opportunity to understand and predict the effects of management or environmental changes on these basic biological parameters and design better management systems for natural environments.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Addressing the deficit in men's participation in paid care work. This project aims to address the chronic and ongoing underrepresentation of men in front line, low paid occupations in the Health Care and Social Assistance Sector by exploring how men already employed in the sector overcome the barriers to participating in such jobs. Utilising a qualitative methodology, this project expects to generate new theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of critical studies of men and masculinity and labour market transitions. Expected outcomes include producing a better understanding of men in the low paid care work labour market. This should provide significant benefits in relation to tackling the serious current and projected shortages of personal and aged/disability carers in the coming years. Field of research: 1608 - Sociology This project aims to contribute both socially and economically to Australia’s national interest by addressing the current and future employee shortages in Australia’s Health Care and Social Assistance sector. This is the fastest growing sector in Australia, and it is projected to need an additional 252,600 jobs by 2024, with over one million workers needed by 2050. Key to tackling this issue is engaging more men in this sector. This project seeks to identify ways to increase men’s participation in frontline work as 'Personal Carers and Assistants' and as 'Aged/Disability Carers' - the official occupational categories that will contribute most to the sector’s jobs growth over the next five years. The research will produce important insights by considering men's willingness and capacity to engage in this type of employment in both regional and metropolitan Australian areas with pressing care workforce needs.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

The structural basis for MPEG1 mediated assembly of immune complexes. Macrophage Expressed Gene-1 (MPEG1) is an ancient pore forming perforin-like immune effector that is found throughout multicellular life. In humans MPEG1 is found in Macrophages (a type of immune cell) and functions to eliminate a wide range of different infectious microbes. In this study we will study how different modifications and molecular interactions drive MPEG1 function. Crucially our work will provide a framework to understand how MPEG1 interacts with the interferon signalling pathway. These data will provide fundamental insight into how perforin-like proteins are controlled and will broadly inform new approaches to modify immune function and molecular signalling events. Field of research: 0601 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Immunity related conditions have a massive impact on quality of life and represent a signifiant (multi-billion / year) financial burden on society. There is accordingly an urgent need to understand the fundamental basis of how the immune response is triggered to function and how it is controlled. This proposal focuses on a conserved immune weapon (MPEG1) that is deployed by an ancient part of the immune system (the Macrophage) in order to destroy microbial targets. By studying MPEG1 we will gain important insights into the checks and balances that are in place to control a fundamental part of the immune system. This information will furthermore yield new insights into how complex signalling pathways in embryonic development, growth and neural development are controlled. Collectively in addition to fundamental knowledge, the outcomes of the project will inform future approaches to control unwanted immune function, for example the hyper activation events associated with cytokine storm.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Towards predictive 4D computational models for the heart. This project aims to develop novel high-performance numerical algorithms for multiscale and multiphysics PDEs with dynamic interfaces, the development and analysis of a novel PDE system modelling the electromechanics of heart and torso, and the combination of these numerical techniques and models to deliver predictive tools for patient-specific simulations of the cardiac function. It involves the design and mathematical analysis of space-time variational discretisations on embedded meshes, 4D computational geometry algorithms for numerical integration and multilevel solvers. By combining scientific computing and machine learning, one anticipated outcome of this research is a new generation of nonlinear PDE approximations and solvers. Field of research: 0103 - Numerical and Computational Mathematics Modelling the cardiac function involves electrical, chemical, solid and fluid mechanics models coupled through free interfaces. This multiphysics system also exhibits a broad range of scales both in space and time. Unfortunately, such level of complexity cannot be accurately and efficiently handled with current numerical techniques. Research in computational science and machine learning, underpinned by a rigorous mathematical foundation, is the only way to generate predictive patient-specific tools that will eventually assist in medical prognosis and exploration of new treatments in personalised medicine. The economic and societal impact of such advancements are notorious, heart disease being the leading cause of death in Australia. The algorithms and software tools produced by this project will not only allow scientists to better understand and predict the cardiac function but also benefit other disciplines that might involve multiscale and multiphysics problems with free interfaces.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Can green investors drive the transition to a low emissions economy? The project aims to develop a game-theoretical approach to model the impact of climate change on financial markets by studying the interactions between the government, companies and investors. Expected outcomes include novel solution concepts for stochastic games with heterogeneous beliefs, asymmetric information, and model uncertainty, as well as optimal investment and production strategies under climate driven economic transitions. Results will be used to validate and improve the recently launched Australian based climate transition index. The project should yield significant benefits for the financial industry and investors by providing novel insights into financial risks during the transition to a low emissions economy. Field of research: 0104 - Statistics This project aims to develop mathematical models based on game theory to analyse the impact of climate change on the economy and financial markets in Australia. There has been a growing demand from investors and the financial industry to quantify the risk of climate change and seek sustainable investments. The project studies the behaviours and interactions of the government, companies and investors in various transition scenarios to a low emissions economy. Agents may have asymmetric access to information and heterogeneous beliefs about the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as contrasting objectives. By examining various equilibrium concepts and working with institutions such as ClimateWorks Australia, the project will produce sustainability scores for individual companies based on their business models, emission levels and technological innovations. Moreover, the project will validate and improved the recently launched Australian-based climate transition index index, which will help investors better manage the financial risks of climate change and the transition to a low emissions economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Enumeration and random generation of contingency tables with given margins. This project aims to find algorithms to construct random tables of numbers having given totals across the rows and down the columns. The aim is also to study properties of such tables. A significant aspect of the project is that it is expected to cover scenarios where all existing methods fail, by deploying recently developed powerful techniques used for random networks in combinatorics. Expected outcomes of this project include the development of efficient algorithms that can be used in statistics for identifying relationships between variables in large data sets. This would help bring Australia to the forefront of research in an area that is significant both in data analysis and in discrete mathematics. Field of research: 0101 - Pure Mathematics This research is in pure mathematics, but with potential applications in statistics. Pure mathematics research benefits Australia because keeping the nation’s hand in fundamental research helps it to share in the fruits of such research. Training with strong mathematical background has advantages in many areas through its rigour and depth of analysis, and its universality: the pure concepts have logical foundations and thus apply in many different contexts. This project also has a well identifiable potential application in statistics to analysis of contingency tables arising in experimental data. Examples are wide-ranging, including genetic data being associated with illnesses in the presence of different environmental factors, and examination of effects of vaccinations or medicine to treat disease.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Countdown to death: defining new signalling events preceding cell death . This proposal aims to understand how programmed cell death molecular machineries promote innate immune responses and proliferation by identifying new molecules that regulate these fundamental biological processes. This project expects to enhance our basic understanding of cell death, cell proliferation and innate immunity using innovative approaches and to build interdisciplinary collaborations. The new generated knowledge in these critical processes will be fertile ground to develop innovative applications in biomedical industries. This this will have a positive impact on the health and economy of Australian society. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Cell death pathways are critical in maintaining animal life. A disruption to any of these pathways can underlie serious degenerative and autoimmune diseases or many cancers. This project will investigate how cell death is connected to innate immunity and proliferation. The proteins and pathways to be studied in this project are highly conserved, with homologs found in plants, viruses, fungi, bacteria, through to insects, worms and mammals. By identifying novel molecules that regulate cell death, cell proliferation and inflammation, this project will lead to pharmaceutical/biotechnology investment to control and target these molecules and pathways that will have a positive impact on the health and economy of Australia in the biotechnology, agricultural and veterinary domains.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Parallel Lines: Ultra-dense optical systems for extreme data-rates. The project aims to explore methods to significantly expand global internet data rates, by using emerging ultra-dense optical technologies. The project plans to discover how novel existing and emerging tiny photonic chip devices may enable the use of new, unused optical spectral bands, and then enable 1000s of channels to be supported by exploiting newly available parallelism in both wavelength and space. Success in the project aims may enable speeds of up to 100 times greater than achievable today, in a variety of fibre optic systems. Connectivity is key to our society, so benefits may arise in both future-proofing key Australian data infrastructure, and in providing a roadmap to support exponential capacity growth over the coming decades. Field of research: 4006 - Communications Engineering Optical communications systems provide the backbone of the internet and our connected society, and our collective demand for data grows exponentially by 25% every year. This project aims to devise new methods to dramatically increase the data capacity of optical fibre systems by 5-10 times. The new technologies developed in the project aim to enable this speed and capacity increase without significant increases in cost and energy consumption. If successful, the new technologies planned for in the project could be deployed in existing fibre optic networks, which will enhance national information infrastructure (such as the NBN), to support faster home internet speeds, faster mobile networks, and advanced applications (like remote mining, remote medicine & cloud computing). This project directly leverages new technologies developed in Australia, and new intellectual property from the project is likely to underpin new growth directions for Australia's established $4 billion photonics industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

How does temperature affect complex life histories? A Cost Theory approach. This proposal seeks to understand how temperature affects the relative costs of early life history stages, from development, through to energy independence for a diverse array of taxa, from seaweeds, to plants to vertebrates. The proposed research seeks to test the predictions of a new framework, Developmental Cost Theory, and extend this theory to include germination (for plants) and metamorphosis for animals. The anticipated goals are to provide clear predictions regarding which species are likely to thrive or suffer under continued global warming, and a valuable framework for understanding how temperature shapes the life histories of organisms, including those that are important from an ecological or agricultural perspective. Field of research: 0501 - Ecological Applications This proposal seeks to understand how temperature shapes the costs of development for plants and ectotherms (such as fish, insects and marine invertebrates). The proposed research provides a predictive framework that anticipates those species that are to suffer lower development costs under rising temperatures (i.e. 'winners') and those likely to experience higher developmental costs ('Losers'). Identifying species that are winners and losers under climate change is essential in the groups explored here. Plants that provide our crops, insects that pollinate these crops or act as pests, and aquatic ectotherms that provide seafood. Understanding which species are likely to benefit from rising temperatures and which are likely to suffer is an urgent priority in Australia's national interest. In doing so, we can better identify future-proof crops and aquaculture species as well as provide early warnings about those species that are more likely to perform poorly under future thermal regimes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Defining the antiviral effects of Wolbachia in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Mosquitoes that carry a bacterium called Wolbachia do not transmit human pathogenic viruses. These mosquitoes are being developed as a biocontrol tool to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. This project aims to define the molecular basis for virus inhibition by Wolbachia. Using unique biological tools including mosquitoes carrying different strains of Wolbachia that do or do not inhibit dengue virus, the project will define how Wolbachia modifies its host to create an antiviral state. The findings will provide insight into how viral pathogens can be suppressed in insect hosts. This may guide future viral disease intervention strategies for diverse areas afflicted by insect-borne viral disease, including human health and agriculture. Field of research: 0605 - Microbiology This project will lead to a better understanding of how the bacterium Wolbachia is able to inhibit the transmission of certain viruses when artificially introduced into mosquito populations. This Australian-led biocontrol technology has successfully halted transmission of dengue virus in North Queensland and is now being tested in 10 countries around the globe. Defining how Wolbachia modifies its mosquito host to create this effect will fill a vital knowledge gap in endosymbiont research and help us understand the different ways in which bacteria are able to manipulate their host environment. Ultimately, these findings may be used to develop second generation Wolbachia-mosquito combinations to to facilitate the long term effectiveness of this intervention, and may identify novel applications such as controlling disease spread by agricultural pests.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Genomic vulnerability . Aims: This project aims to validate genomic predictions of species’ vulnerability to climate change. Significance: Species are already responding to climate change, and many face high predicted rates of extinction. Some species will be able to avoid extinction via evolutionary adaptation. Yet we currently lack the ability to accurately predict which species do and do not have the capacity to adapt and avoid extinction. Expected outcomes: Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced ability to predict species’ vulnerability to ongoing climate change. Benefits: This project should significantly improve our capacity to manage threatened and keystone species by identifying those that will require targeted conservation management. Field of research: 0603 - Evolutionary Biology Australia’s biodiversity is facing an extinction crisis. Some species will be able to avoid extinction through evolutionary adaptation. Predicting which species will be able to evolve their way out of trouble, and which won’t, will be key to securing Australia’s biodiversity at a time of rapid environmental change. This project will assess the extent to which genomic data can be used to accurately predict species’ extinction vulnerability. The outcomes will inform the use of genomic data in threatened species management. By validating the use of genomics to identify species at risk we will be better able to use targeted management, such as habitat restoration, captive breeding programs or genetic rescue to mitigate extinction risk. The project may lead to advances in the agricultural and health sectors by increasing our ability to predict pest and disease vector responses to environmental change. This work will contribute to Australia’s capacity to manage biodiversity and safeguard our environment.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Artificial Intelligence, Robots, and Agriculture: Social and ethical issues. This project aims to investigate the social and ethical issues raised by the use of artificial intelligence and robotics in agriculture. By combining social science research methods and philosophical analysis, the project aims to generate new knowledge in bioethics and applied ethics. Expected outcomes of this project include an account of the social and ethical issues farmers, rural communities, and consumers anticipate arising from these technologies, improved understanding of these issues, and an account of how these groups would like to see these issues addressed. This should help Australia benefit from the responsible use of artificial intelligence and robotics in agriculture. Field of research: 2201 - Applied Ethics Australian agriculture currently faces a series of profound challenges arising from soil degradation, depletion of the water table, loss of biodiversity, climate change, and demographic change. Robotics and artificial intelligence have the potential to bring about a 4th agricultural revolution to meet these challenges. By identifying the social and ethical issues raised by the use of AI and robotics in agriculture, this research will help farmers, businesses, policymakers, and the broader Australian community make informed decisions about the development and use of these technologies. It will benefit Australia by promoting the responsible use of AI and robotics to increase food production, support rural communities, and protect Australia’s unique natural environment. Through its use of citizens' juries, and other social research methods, this project also contribute to an informed public discussion of the future of agriculture.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

Pursuing Public Health in The Preindustrial World, 1100-1800. This project aims to recover community-health practices in three world regions before the takeoff of European industrialization. It challenges a common chronology and geography in public health history by examining how especially non-urban societies in Europe, the Middle East and India adjusted their behaviors and environments to manage health risks, often relying on the principles of humoral (or Galenic) medicine. A multidisciplinary team will conduct spatial, material, pictorial and text-based analyses, which will collectively extricate public health from Eurocentric narratives of modernization and illuminate preventative-medical cultures often ignored or studied in isolation. Field of research: 2202 - History and Philosophy of Specific Fields How did past communities define and promote their health? The answer can help meet current threats and prepare for future ones. At present, much of the historical insight into public health focuses on responses to the Industrial Revolution in urban Europe, and on colonial and imperial programs abroad. Neither, however, offers a full account of communities’ deeper hygienic pasts and their present implications, a situation this project seeks to amend. Global health crises have repeatedly highlighted the dangers involved in a preference for modern biomedical solutions, which ignores culturally-specific definitions of health and communities’ experiences and memories of disease. Furthermore, in laying a foundation for a broad but culturally nuanced research framework, the project develops a robust, multidisciplinary platform that can be adapted to the study of different cases and admixtures of evidence. As such, it will set new quality standards and keep Australia at the forefront of medical-historical research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2022 · 2022-01

A balancing act: Resolving coastal wetland water, carbon and solute fluxes. Coastal wetlands offer an impressive capacity to regulate the Earth’s climate by altering the way carbon dioxide is extracted from the atmosphere and stored while simultaneously influencing the water cycle, thus providing ecosystem services such as carbon storage, abating flood waters, improving water quality and protecting the coastline from sea level rise. This project aims to address the current gaps in understanding the critical exchanges of water and greenhouse gases (GHGs) combining field methodologies and hydrological models, under different climatic conditions. The intended outcomes will benefit management of GHG emissions, coastal flooding and vulnerable groundwater dependent habitats. Field of research: 0502 - Environmental Science and Management The carbon and water cycles in coastal wetlands are critical exchanges among land, ocean, and atmosphere. They determine globally important processes, such as carbon sequestration, nutrient delivery, and coastal surface elevation, with coastal vegetation playing a key role in these dynamics. Combining field methodologies and numerical modelling, our project focusses on these delicate coastal ecosystems, which are beneficial in mitigating climate change impacts such as flooding and salinisation of coastal aquifers, thus providing a nature-based solution for economic damages measured in billions. This project will assess 1) the water balance of coastal wetlands, 2) the role of climate and groundwater flow in carbon, salt and nutrient exchange at the coast, and 3) how plant transpiration and groundwater extraction influence coastal subsidence. By quantifying and improving the understanding of the flows of water, nutrients, and carbon occurring at coastlines, these ecosystems can be better managed to reduce flood disaster risk, improve water quality and improve climate change adaptation.